SESSION WATCH
Died SENATE · SESSION 2026

No. SB 356

Utility Terrain Vehicles
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SPONSOR
Wright
FILED BY
Tom A. Wright — District 8, Republican [search donations]
EFFECTIVE
1/1/2027
DIED IN
Appropriations Committee on Transportation

Filed under Transportation.

PROVIDED SUMMARY

Utility Terrain Vehicles; Authorizing the operation of a utility terrain vehicle (UTV) during all hours; authorizing the operation of UTVs on certain roadways; authorizing the Department of Transportation to prohibit the operation of UTVs under certain circumstances; requiring owners or operators of a UTV to comply with certain requirements and regulations, etc.

Full bill text →

Plain English Summary

AI-GENERATED
Permits UTVs on designated county and city roads statewide.

Counties and cities can now designate two-lane roads with speed limits under 55 mph for UTV use, and UTVs can cross state highways at a 90-degree angle to reach them.

Anyone driving a UTV on a public road needs a regular driver's license, or a learner's permit with a licensed driver in the adjacent passenger seat.

Owners must carry insurance, register the UTV for a license plate, and keep proof of ownership and registration in the vehicle for officers to check.

Counties, cities, and the state Department of Transportation can each ban UTV operation from specific roads whenever officials decide a ban is necessary for safety.

KEY PROVISIONS
§ 1 UTVs allowed on designated low-speed local roads majors. 316.21275

AIThe bill lets counties and municipalities designate specific two-lane roads with posted speed limits under 55 mph for UTV use, after finding the road can be safely used or crossed.

“A two-lane county road with a posted speed limit of less than 55 miles per hour” bill text, line 39 →
§ 2 UTV drivers need a license or supervised learner's permit majors. 316.21275

AIOperating a UTV on a road requires a full driver license, or a learner's license while a licensed driver sits in the adjacent front passenger seat.

“A person may operate a UTV only if he or she possesses a driver license” bill text, line 58 →
§ 3 Local governments and DOT can ban UTVs from any road moderates. 316.21275

AICounties, municipalities, and the Department of Transportation can each prohibit UTV operation on roads under their jurisdiction whenever they judge it necessary for safety, on top of the two-lane, sub-55-mph limits.

“may prohibit the operation of a UTV on any road or street under its jurisdiction” bill text, line 77 →
§ 4 UTVs may cross the State Highway System at a right angle moderates. 316.21275

AIA UTV may cross the State Highway System only at roughly a 90-degree angle, at a spot where a quick and safe crossing is possible, the only road use allowed without a local designation.

“only when necessary to cross the highway at an angle of approximately 90 degrees” bill text, line 52 →
§ 5 Owners must insure, register, and prove ownership like other vehicles moderates. 316.21275

AIOwners must meet standard vehicle insurance requirements and keep proof of ownership and a registration certificate in the UTV, in addition to following ordinary traffic regulations.

“Fulfill all insurance requirements pursuant to ss. 324.022 and 627.736” bill text, line 68 →
§ 6 UTV violations are noncriminal traffic infractions technicals. 316.21275

AIBreaking any of the new UTV rules is a noncriminal nonmoving traffic violation, the same civil-penalty track used for minor traffic offenses, not a criminal charge.

“A violation of this section is a noncriminal traffic infraction, punishable as a nonmoving violation” bill text, line 81 →
§ 7 UTVs get their own state license plate category technicals. 320.0847

AIThe state must issue a distinct UTV license plate once an owner registers the vehicle and pays the required taxes and fees, matching the process already used for mini trucks and low-speed vehicles.

“or a utility terrain vehicle as defined in s. 316.21275” bill text, line 91 →
TIMELINE
3/13/2026
Died in Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and...
1/16/2026
On Committee agenda-- Appropriations Committee on Transportation,...
1/13/2026
Introduced
12/9/2025
Now in Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and...
12/9/2025
Favorable by Transportation; YEAS 3 NAYS 2
12/1/2025
On Committee agenda-- Transportation, 12/09/25, 1:00 pm, 37 Senate Building
11/17/2025
Referred to Transportation; Appropriations Committee on...
11/4/2025
Filed
2 EARLIER →
STATUTES IT CHANGES
s. 316.21275
+501 / −0
s. 320.0847
+23 / −6
STAFF ANALYSES